You Can Say That Again

376 Pages·1999·1.62 MB·English

by  Bruce Rogers

“This is a tremendously useful book by one ofCanada’s best broadcasters.”
Peter Herrndorf,Director General,National Arts Centre
“Finally,a highly readable book about good Canadian English,rooted … in
sound grammar and usage. Bruce’s sharp wit and broadcasting experience
make this book a ‘must have’for anyone who gives a damn about Canadian
English.”
Russ Germaine,“The World at Six,”CBC Radio National News
“This book is professional,comprehensive,fun,and tremendously helpful for
anyone with a fear of presenting themselves in public. Designed for the
media professional, You Can Say That Again is just as helpful for any
business executive who has to make speeches, reports, presentations, or
simply approach the boss for a raise….Surveys show business executives fear
presentations and speeches with a passion. Bruce replaces the fear with a
good dose ofconfidence.”
Barrie Doyle,President,Gateway Communications,Instructor,
Humber College
“You Can Say That Again is the new guide for my students, for the
profession,for those with an interest in the world’s languages,and (with the
trivia quiz in each chapter) for those who love word games.”
Jon Keeble,Chairman,Radio and Television Arts,
Ryerson Polytechnical University
“I prefer to associate with those who believe pronouncing words correctly is
not only satisfying … but fun! So does Bruce Rogers who has long set the
standard for Canadians who enjoy using the English language properly….”
Peter Kent,Global Television News
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You Can Say That Again!
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You
Can
Say
That
Again!
A Fun Approach to Sounding Better
When You Open Your Mouth to Speak
Bruce Rogers
hounslow press
a member of the dundurn group
Toronto • oxford
Copyright © Bruce Rogers 1999
All rights reserved.No part ofthis publication may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system,or
transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,or
otherwise (except for briefpassages for purposes ofreview) without the prior permission of
Hounslow Press.Permission to photocopy should be requested from the Canadian Copyright
Licensing Agency.
Hounslow Press
A Member ofthe Dundurn Group
Publisher:Anthony Hawke
Editor:Liedewy Hawke
Design:Jennifer Scott
Printer:Webcom
Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data
Rogers,Bruce (Bruce A.)
You Can Say That Again:
a fun approach to sounding better when you open your mouth to speak
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-88882-208-1
1.Public speaking. I.Title
PN4121.R63 1999 808.5”1 C99-931993-0
1 2 3 4 5 03 02 01 00 99
We acknowledge the support ofthe Canada Council for the Artsfor our publishing program.We
also acknowledge the support ofthe Ontario Arts Counciland the Book Publishing Industry
Development Programofthe Department ofCanadian Heritage.
Care has been taken to trace the ownership ofcopyright material used in this book.The author
and the publisher welcome any information enabling them to rectify any references or credit in
subsequent editions.
J.Kirk Howard,President
Printed and bound in Canada.
e
Printed on recycled paper.
Hounslow Press Hounslow Press Hounslow Press
8 Market Street 73 Lime Walk 2250 Military Road
Suite 200 Headington,Oxford, Tonawanda,New York
Toronto,Ontario,Canada England U.S.A.14150
M5E 1M6 OX3 7AD
To Diana
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Table of Contents
Forewords 12
Acknowledgements 14
Introduction 17
Words are power • Standards matter • Good speech:“Cultivated
formal,”mid-Atlantic • The use ofyouse•“Japanglish”• Ebonics • The
democratic populist versus the pedantic snob
1. Pronunciation 35
Formal and informal speech • Canadian English • Phonetic systems •
Accent and intonation • Vocal presentation: tips on phrasing,
breathing,emphasis • Some terms and symbols
2. In the Beginning Was ... 57
Theories about the origins of speech • Tracking our Indo-European
language roots • Grimm’s Law • The Tower of Babel • Phoenician —
our alphabet • Linggwistik Reformation • Semantics
3. Word Origins 75
Etymology — a list of words and their history,from abracadabra to
zythepsary• Slang and jargon • Spoonerisms and euphemisms • Puns
and limericks • Bowdlerizing • Swearing • What does - 30 -mean?